Owens v. Secretary of Health and Human Services
CourtUnited States Court of Federal Claims
Date FiledJune 26, 2026
Docket22-1370V
JudgeChristian J. Moran
StatusPublished
📰 News Coverage: Read the LAWS.com news report on this case
Full Opinion
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
*********************
JULIANA OWENS, * No. 22-1370V
on behalf of her minor child, S.O. *
*
Petitioner, *
* Special Master Christian J. Moran
v. *
* Filed: June 4, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*********************
Alison Haskins, Siri & Glimstead, LLP, Aventura, FL, for Petitioner;
Andrew Donald Downing, Downing, Allison & Jorgenson, Phoenix, AZ, former
counsel of record for Petitioner;
Naseem Kourosh, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION AWARDING
ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e), petitioner has requested a total of
$51,060.29 in attorneys’ fees and costs, representing a sum requested in a motion
for interim fees and a motion for final fees. The undersigned tentatively found that
petitioner requested a reasonable amount and was entitled to the full amount
1
Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case,
it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal
Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in
accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal
Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will
be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), the
parties have 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure
of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Any changes will appear in the
document posted on the website.
requested. The undersigned allowed respondent an opportunity to comment.
Respondent did not interpose any objections to the amount requested within the
time permitted. See Resp’t’s Resp., filed May 29, 2026.
Petitioner’s attorney, attorney staff, and expert have requested hourly rates
that are consistent with the rates previously awarded and/or reasonable. The
number of hours is reasonable. 2 Thus, the amount requested is reasonable.
Petitioner is awarded $51,060.29. The amount of $48,555.29 shall be paid
through an ACH deposit to Mr. Downing’s IOLTA account for prompt
disbursement. The amount of $2,505.00 shall be paid through an ACH deposit to
Ms. Haskins’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. In the absence of a
motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is
directed to enter judgment herewith.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
2
Petitioner’s expert, Dr. Styperek, should create invoices that contain more information.
3
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a
joint notice renouncing their right to seek review.
2